Monroe Clinic unveils new hospital

More than 70 years ago, five physicians founded Monroe Clinic. Doctors Nation Bear, W.G. Bear, Leurner Creasy, W.B. Gnagi and John Schinder opened their doors Jan. 1, 1939 on the second floor of an office building in Monroe, Wis.

It was not long before these same physicians approached the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Agnes, inviting them to Monroe to build a hospital. St. Clare Hospital, now known as Monroe Clinic, was built soon after. Additions followed in the 1950s and 1970s, but as time and technology changed, the mission of Monroe Clinic to focus on patient needs and care needed to change. The quality of care would remain the same, but patients needs, and to incorporate the changes in technology, forced Monroe Clinic to look at their options

In June 2009, Monroe Clinic unveiled construction plans for its new hospital. A groundbreaking ceremony for the $83 million, 225,000 square-foot, four-story facility followed on December 2009. Despite uncertain economic times, plans continued for a new hospital that is designed to support modern health care and efficient employee and patient flow while accommodating for the environment.

Growth For The Future

The new hospital is set to open for business on March 24. The mission for Monroe Clinic in building this new hospital was to create a healthier environment for patient care. Wednesday, officials from Monroe Clinic hosted a press day to unveil the new hospital, which adds to the existing campus that includes the clinic and what will be the St. Clare Center, which will be created at the old hospital.

Talking to the crowd and giving the tour was Mike Sanders, president and CEO of Monroe Clinic; Dr. Mark Thompson, chief medical officer; Steve Borowski, director of facility services and Paula Elmer, vice president clinical operations and chief nursing officer.

Sanders said they are in the final stages to ready the hospital for the opening date. He said the objective in building the new hospital was to keep up with changes in health care, look at growth and create a campus to meet the health care needs of the community it serves.

The last addition of the existing hospital took place more than 40 years ago, and a lot has changed in health care since then, Sanders said. We had great support for the 28-month $83 million project, which was financed through savings and investments. We set for a spring 2012 opening, and we are pleased that the project has gone smooth, on time and on budget.

Healing Environment

The new hospital is designed with the healing environment in mind. The tour unveiled a nature-inspired atmosphere, built around the latest innovations in health care. Green technology and sustainability was a primary focus. There is an expanded emergency department, with a helipad and heated ambulance garage. There is convenient lobby level access to surgery and a procedure center with a private exit. The chapel has a meditation garden, there is an expanded family birth and womans center, updated cardiology and imaging services, a cafe with sweeping views and outdoor seating, and most importantly, there are all-private inpatients rooms, which Monroe Clinic had before.

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Monroe Clinic unveils new hospital